Structured Finance Industry Group Adds Michael Flood As Director Of Advocacy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Structured Finance Industry Group, Inc. ("SFIG"), a member-based trade industry  group focused on improving and strengthening the broader structured finance and securitization market, today announced that it has hired Michael Flood as Director of Advocacy.  Mr. Flood will report directly to Richard Johns, SFIG's Executive Director, and will lead the group's interactions with regulators and legislators in Washington D.C. and elsewhere. 

"It has been an incredible year for SFIG.  Working with our motivated, talented and hands-on membership, we have been able to create a strong, transparent organization that is having a meaningful impact on the securitization market," said Mr. Johns.  "Bringing Michael on board with his extensive relationships, proven track record of advocacy and deep understanding of the structured finance market is the perfect addition to fill out our senior leadership team and growing group of dedicated professionals." 

In his role, Mr. Flood will lead the group's interaction with elected officials, regulators and other government representatives as it pertains to policies and positions derived by the membership.  Mr. Flood has served in leadership roles at industry organizations overseeing advocacy and coalition building, and developing policy positions.  Most notably this includes his work at Commercial Real Estate Finance Council where he oversaw and promoted the Council's legislative and regulatory efforts for commercial real estate lending and structured finance with the Administration, Congress, regulatory agencies and market participants.

Mr. Flood has also worked for the White House Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) Financial Rescue Unit, where he oversaw the Administration's TARP investments; as a Director in both the Single and Multifamily Divisions of Fannie Mae; and as a legislative assistant for the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he worked on the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.  

"I am honored to join the SFIG team and look forward to working with both the members and the executive team to build upon the incredible momentum that has been established this year," said Mr. Flood.  "SFIG's clear commitment to representing the full spectrum of industry views makes it a powerful voice towards creating a workable regulatory structure for the industry."  

Formed in the spring of 2013, SFIG has rapidly grown to more than 200 members, taken an active role in industry legislative issues, including testifying to the Senate Banking Committee.  Most recently, SFIG added Sonny Abbasi as Director focused on mortgage backed securities policy issues and Sairah Burki as Director focused on asset-backed securities policy issues.

SFIG also announced today that ABS Vegas, the group's first annual industry conference being put on in partnership with the Information Management Network ("IMN"), is expected to host over 5,000 participants and has more than 130 sponsors, making it the single largest securitization industry event in the United States.  SFIG also announced that Christopher Cox, Former Chairman of The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and Michael Stegman, Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury for Housing Finance Policy at the United States Department of The Treasury, will be keynote speakers.   

The event is scheduled to take place at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas on January 21-24.  Additional details and registration information can be found at http://www.imn.org/conference/ABS-Vegas-2014/Home.html.  

About Structured Finance Industry Group, Inc.
Structured Finance Industry Group, Inc. ("SFIG") is a member-based, trade industry group focused on improving and strengthening the broader structured finance and securitization market. SFIG provides an inclusive network for securitization professionals to collaborate and, as industry leaders, drive necessary changes, be an advocate for the securitization community, share best practices and innovative ideas, and educate industry members through conferences and other programs. Members of SFIG represent all sectors of the securitization market including issuers, investors, financial intermediaries, law firms, accounting firms, technology firms, rating agencies, servicers, and trustees.  Further information can be found at www.sfindustry.org

SOURCE Structured Finance Industry Group, Inc.